A casino is a gambling establishment with a large selection of games. They are often built near or combined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships and other tourist attractions.
A Casino: History & Entertainment
In most countries, casinos have become a major form of social and entertainment. The word “casino” has long pointed to a villa, summerhouse, or social club, but the name has evolved into a more precise description of a gambling hall.
Gambling has been around for centuries and has its roots in many cultures. It can be traced to the Ancient Mesopotamia and Greece, but the modern casino has not come into existence until the 16th century when a gambling craze spread throughout Europe.
The first official casino opened in Venice in 1638 in a church called San Moise. It was a private club for aristocrats.
Eventually, gambling clubs became regulated and legalized in many countries. In the United States, Nevada and Atlantic City were among the first places to legalize casinos in the late 20th century.
Slot machines are the most popular game at casinos and generate a massive proportion of the casino’s income [Source: PBS]. Players bet on a series of varying bands of colored shapes that roll on reels. The machine then randomly pays out money to the player.
Security at a Casino: Elaborate Surveillance Systems
Casinos use elaborate surveillance systems to monitor every table, window and doorway. The cameras watch the players, and can be manipulated by security workers to focus on suspicious patrons. The video feeds are recorded, too, so if any cheating is detected, the security staff can review the footage to find out who did it.